Launching two new models of
academic excellence
A landmark commitment from the O’Donnell Foundation will strengthen student quality across high-impact fields and position SMU as a national leader at the intersection of energy and interdisciplinary education.
Welcoming the best and brightest
This fall, the largest and most academically accomplished class to date joined SMU. The group includes over 1,700 first-year students and more than 400 transfer students. Fueled by a marked increase in freshman and transfer applications, SMU is advancing its momentum as a welcoming, prestigious community.
46
statesand
49
countries represented42%
from Texaswith over
300
from DFW420
first-year studentsare the first in their family to attend college
32
ACT score,1400
SAT scoreTop 3% in the nation
3
out of4
receive scholarshipsand financial aid
Q&A: Brady Wood ’90
The Dallas entrepreneur discusses what it takes to build a business, why it is important to get involved with the community and how his alma mater empowered his future.
Forging new paths
Explore how passions for football and Legos led Garrett Madison ’23, ’26 and Pierre Martinez ’27 to find their academic interests in engineering – and ways to make a difference.
Sea monsters hit the road
A collaborative exhibit by SMU and the Smithsonian Institution will tour the country for the next few years, showcasing fossils and prehistoric discoveries in cities across the country.
Driving meaningful research
External grants provide valuable support for SMU faculty members as they conduct impactful research in cybersecurity and the teaching of American history and middle school math.
Meeting the challenge
Donors to the Dedman Law Centennial Scholarship Challenge have created 27 new scholarships that will make a legal education more accessible for potential students – and further elevate the standing of the SMU law school.
Unbridled generosity
The latest major gifts support the University, its mission and its students in many different ways.
Figure:
Mustangs go big at home
for 25th anniversary
This is the 25th year of two SMU Athletics icons: Gerald J. Ford Stadium and the University’s unique tailgating experience, “Boulevarding.” Both create a unique game day experience that attracts alumni, fans and friends from across the country.
A fall to remember
Over the last few months, SMU student-athletes have achieved many memorable results in competition. Academically, 14 Mustangs received the 2025 1A FAR Academic Excellence Award, seven programs had perfect NCAA Graduation Success Rates and overall SMU had a 91% Graduation Success Rate.
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Men’s soccer
won the University’s first ACC championship.
Football
beat its highest-ranked opponent since 1983 and became a top 25 ranked team.
Volleyball
reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time ever and spent several weeks in the top 10.
Men’s tennis
Trevor Svajda ’27 advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championships, the first SMU player to do so since 1999.
Cross country
Rose Mburu ’29 had the highest placement by a Mustang at the NCAA Championships since 2011.
Women’s tennis
Sophie Llewellyn ’28 advanced to the second round of the NCAA Singles Championship.
Reaching the height of athletic achievement
Among this year’s Athletics Hall of Fame inductees are state and national champions, Olympic gold medalists and NCAA awardees.
Kelly Kraft ’13
Kevin Robinzine ’87
Claire Sessions-Bailey ’92
Jim Stillson
Honoring accomplished alumni
The annual SMU Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize recipients for their significant contributions to philanthropy, business and civic life. On October 30, President Jay Hartzell (left) and Alumni Board Chair Laura Guerin Howard ’00 (right) celebrated award winners Trevor D. Rees-Jones ’78, Sana Merchant ’11 (Emerging Leader Award), Rev. Paul L. Rasmussen ’04, Suzanne S. Youngkin ’89 and David S. Huntley ’80.
Cultural collaboration
A new partnership between SMU and the Fundación Catedral de Santiago will bring a singular cultural experience to the Meadows Museum and Texas in 2027. Jointly curated by the two institutions, the exhibit features items from the Spanish collection that highlight the importance of the cathedral at the end of a pilgrimage network.
Happenings on the Hilltop (and beyond)
March 11
SMU Giving Day
March 31
Meadows at the Meyerson
April 9–11
Founders’ Day Weekend
May 16
May Commencement